Explore Venice: 13 Tips for a Memorable Trip
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why was Venice built this way and why is it sinking?
- How to move around Venice?
- Where To sleep in Venice?
- When is the best time to visit Venice?
- Local food in Venice
- Gondola rides in Venice
- Bridge of Sighs in Venice
- Venice Island's tour
- Rialto Bridge in Venice
- St. Mark Square in Venice
- St. Mark Basilica in Venice
- Doge's Palace in Venice
- St. Mark Bell Tower in Venice
- Conclusion
Exploring Venice: Tips and Tricks for a Memorable Trip
Venice is a city that needs no introduction. It is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the world, built on 118 islands, with over 150 canals and more than 400 bridges. In this article, we will provide You with all the information you need to plan your trip to Venice, including tips on how to move around, where to sleep, what to eat, and what to see.
Why was Venice built this way and why is it sinking?
Venice was built on a swampy area after the fall of the Roman Empire. The people of Venice wanted to feel safe in an unconquerable territory, and the city flourished as it was impossible to attack it from the land. However, the way Venice is built makes it subject to high tide in winter, especially from November to March. The tide can reach 1.5 meters, and the most affected places are Rialto and St. Mark area because they are the oldest and lowest parts of the city. Venice is also sinking at a rate of about 20 centimeters every 100 years due to the soft ground it is built on and rising sea levels.
How to move around Venice?
Venice is a city without cars, buses, or even bikes. The only way to move around is by walking or by taking a vaporetto, which is Venice's local transport by boat. The ticket for a single ride on a vaporetto costs 7.50 euros, so if you plan to take it multiple times, it's better to ask for a city pass. The Grand Canal or Canal Grande is Venice's highway, and all vaporettos stop there. You can also buy an old-fashioned map to move around the city, as most calli (streets) are very narrow and not reliable on Google Maps.
Where to sleep in Venice?
When booking your hotel for your trip to Venice, you have two options: you can sleep in Venice city center or in the nearest town on the mainland, Mestre. Sleeping in Venice city center is more expensive, and often you cannot find nice accommodation unless you go to a 4 or 5-star hotel. Many travelers choose to sleep in Mestre and reach Venice by train. A single train ticket costs 1.35 euros, and there's a train every 4-10 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Venice?
The best time to visit Venice is during spring and Autumn, as the weather is mild, and there are fewer crowds of tourists. Summer can be quite hot and sticky, and winter can be quite cold and moist, plus it's the season of high tide. The cruise season begins in April and ends in October, so if you go between October and April, you will find way fewer people in the streets.
Local food in Venice
Italian food is not only pizza and pasta! In Venice, you can try some real local Venetian food in a Bacaro, a typical restaurant that serves "cicchetti." Cicchetti are small portions of appetizers mainly with fish recipes, and the general rule is to taste a couple in a place and then head to another and then to another. Burano is famous for its colored fishermen's houses and for lace manufacturing, but they also know how to bake here. Go to a local pastry shop to try the local biscuits Buranelli.
Gondola rides in Venice
Gondolas are, of course, a symbol of Venice. You can choose between a private or a shared tour, but keep in mind that if you opt for a shared tour, it's up to six people, and you don't know if you will sit next to your partner or your friends because the Gondoliere will decide depending on your weight. You can also use a gondola like a normal public transport as locals do, the gondola-traghetto, which is used to cross the Grand Canal.
Bridge of Sighs in Venice
The Bridge of Sighs is a symbol of romanticism for many people, but its story is not romantic at all! The purpose of that bridge is to connect the Doge's palace, where trials took place, to the palace of prisons. So on the bridge, prisoners who were just condemned had to go through there, and they say that you could hear their sighs when they took a last look at the lagoon from those windows. You can access and cross the bridge from the Doge's palace with a standard ticket.
Venice Island's tour
Usually, tourists visit the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello during a single tour, but that Type of experience can be quite disappointing. An alternative and less touristy way would be to reach the islands by yourself with public transport. It's a little more expensive, but if you have one full day to dedicate to the islands, this is the best option.
Rialto Bridge in Venice
Rialto is the most famous and most ancient of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal. Close to it, there is a shop called Fondaco dei Tedeschi with a terrace offering an incredible view over the canal. Access is free, but you need to book your 15-minute slot. On one side of the bridge, you'll find the famous Rialto Market, the most important food market in Venice, where you can take part in a great food tasting tour.
St. Mark Square in Venice
St. Mark is the most important square of Venice and hosts all the major monuments of the city: the basilica and its bell tower, the clock tower, and Doge's palace. This area gets very crowded in peak hours, from 11 am to 4 pm, which is when cruise passengers return to their ships. If you really want to enjoy this stunning square and all its monuments, come here by night or late afternoon. The basilica is dedicated to St. Mark, patron saint of Venice, whose remains were stolen in Egypt by two merchants in the Middle-Age, and are still preserved in its crypt. To skip the usually long queue, you should book a guided tour or buy a skip the line ticket.
St. Mark Basilica in Venice
The building is the lowest point of the city; therefore, in case of high tide, it is one of the first monuments to shut its doors until the situation goes back to normal. Venice's symbol, a lion, that you can see everywhere around the city, is the same as evangelist Mark. To climb up the famous bell tower of St. Mark basilica, we recommend you to book tickets in advance to skip the long lines. An elevator will bring you to the top. If you don't find tickets available, don't despair: you can enjoy an equally beautiful view over Venice from Saint George bell tower on San Giorgio island in front of St. Mark.
Doge's Palace in Venice
Venice is the longest republic ever existed, more than 1,000 years. The head of this republic was the Doge, and this palace was his home as well as the headquarters of the political power. A guided tour inside the Doge's palace is a must-do, only in this way, you can truly appreciate your visit and learn historical anecdotes of the ancient republic. The standard route to visit Doge's palace includes splendid highlights, like the Great Council Hall, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Giant Staircase. There are two alternative routes. You can choose one in the Doge's apartments and the other in the prisons, where also Casanova was locked in. They are great tours, but we personally recommend them only if you also join the standard tour, which is unmissable.
Conclusion
Venice is a city that will leave you breathless. Its unique architecture, history, and culture make it one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We hope that this article has provided you with all the information you need to plan your trip to Venice. Remember to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak season, and to explore the city on foot to fully appreciate its beauty. Enjoy your trip to Venice!
Highlights
- Venice is built on 118 islands, with over 150 canals and more than 400 bridges.
- Venice is sinking at a rate of about 20 centimeters every 100 years due to the soft ground it is built on and rising sea levels.
- The only way to move around Venice is by walking or by taking a vaporetto, which is Venice's local transport by boat.
- The best time to visit Venice is during spring and autumn, as the weather is mild, and there are fewer crowds of tourists.
- Italian food in Venice is not only pizza and pasta! Try some real local Venetian food in a Bacaro, a typical restaurant that serves "cicchetti."
- A guided tour inside the Doge's palace is a must-do, only in this way, you can truly appreciate your visit and learn historical anecdotes of the ancient republic.
FAQ
Q: What is the best time to visit Venice?
A: The best time to visit Venice is during spring and autumn, as the weather is mild, and there are fewer crowds of tourists.
Q: How do I move around Venice?
A: The only way to move around Venice is by walking or by taking a vaporetto, which is Venice's local transport by boat.
Q: What is the Bridge of Sighs in Venice?
A: The Bridge of Sighs is a symbol of romanticism for many people, but its purpose was to connect the Doge's palace, where trials took place, to the palace of prisons.
Q: What is the most important square in Venice?
A: St. Mark is the most important square of Venice and hosts all the major monuments of the city: the basilica and its bell tower, the clock tower, and Doge's palace.
Q: What is the best way to explore the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello?
A: An alternative and less touristy way would be to reach the islands by yourself with public transport. It's a little more expensive, but if you have one full day to dedicate to the islands, this is the best option.
